2017 Paul Lato Chardonnay Belle de Jour Duvarita Vineyard
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From a cool, westerly site located just outside of the Sta. Rita Hills, the 2017 Chardonnay Belle Du Jour Duvarita Vineyard spent 15 months in 55% new French oak. It has a Chablis-like bright lemon curd and subtle tropical slant as well as building richness and power. Medium to full-bodied, with bright yet integrated acidity, its oak is perfectly integrated, it has no hard edges, and it delivers a wonderful, elegant texture. Unfortunately, there are a scant 75 cases produced. I continue to be blown away by the wines of Paul Lato, and these are unquestionably some of the most profound and exciting wines coming from the Central Coast today. The lineup has grown substantially over the past decade, and Lato now releases upwards of five Chardonnays, six Pinot Noirs, two Grenaches, three Syrahs, a Sauvignon Blanc, and a Malvasia. Despite the number of wines, quality hasn’t slipped an inch, and the wines show incredible site and varietal typicity always paired with sensational fruit and balance. In short, don’t miss these wines!
Critic scores
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Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
Paul Lato's 2017 Chardonnay Belle de Jour is an attractive, open-knit wine with lovely textural depth and nuance. Soft curves add raciness to a core of orchard fruit, tangerine, mint, chamomile and lightly honeyed notes that are all nicely pushed forward.
This is the second vintage of this wine for Paul Lato, made using biodynamically farmed grapes and aged for 15 months in 55% new French oak. Youthfully coiled, the 2017 Chardonnay Belle de Jour Duvarita Vineyard features oodles of latent layers on the nose: warm pie spice, baked quince, Golden Delicious apples, Meyer lemon peel, dried hay, dusty earth, crushed stone and mushroom with warm white peach, jasmine and spring honey nuances. Medium to full-bodied with that signature Lato texture, it has intense flavor layers swelling in the mouth, with juicy acidity and a very long, layered, lively finish. Give this more time in bottle if you can keep your paws off! Only 70 cases were made.